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There has been so much talk about the contract of linebacker Stewart Bradley. The news came down Tuesday, first reported by Adam Caplan, that Bradley had his $5 million salary reduced to $2.5M this season. Kent Somers added the detail that Bradley could recoup the money in incentives, but it is a cut. As we have talked about before (ironically, using Bradley as an example) a player doesn’t usually mind restructuring a contract because that doesn’t cost the player any money. In this case, Bradley does lose money. In reality, he probably wouldn’t get a $2.5M salary at this point on the open market so it’s still worth it for him to take a cut. And the last three years of his contract remain, for now, unchanged, meaning he can get back to a $5M salary next year if he plays well enough.

That’s the big question. He couldn’t beat out Paris Lenon last season. We will see what an offseason can do for Bradley, who right now is expected to help both outside and inside at linebacker. In some ways, he’s the defensive version of Kevin Kolb, both with the need of an offseason and the need for a rally year after 2011.

— Bradley can feel more comfortable in one way: He’s back to his familiar jersey No. 55 now that Joey Porter is gone. Cornerback William Gay also has switched already, getting No. 23 (from the original issue No. 29.) That probably doesn’t bode well for free-agent safety Hamza Abdullah. Wide receiver DeMarco Sampson switched from No. 89 to No. 10, and defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin went from No. 60 to No. 95.

I have not seen any updated numbers. Obviously it clears some room, but I’m not sure how much. My guess is they are close to having enough room — if not more — to get rookies and maybe a couple other cheaper free agents after the draft.

Easy E,
Maybe he’s another one of those future front office guys, don’t we already have a TE or two, or three, or four like that? Let’s get some more of those type of players, they will certainly lead to New Orleans, 2013,

Seems like it’s always been feast or famine with Bradley, dating back to college. Hopefully, this is a feast year, and he can stave of the injuries that have always plagued him. If not, then signing him seems like a pretty big mistake, and makes strong side LB a real need next offseason. That’s why it’d be really nice to get the O-line taken care of this year, so we spend our first two picks on high-quality ILB and safety prospects.

1st point:
What do you think the chances of a trade involving us and the San Diego Chargers could be? I would really enjoy having a second round pick to find an OLB to compliment our young and fast defense and Zach Brown has dropped on many boards to round 2 where he could be a steal even Vinny Curry out of Marshall shows up in a lot of mocks where the Chargers are picking in round 2 and either high motor fast edge rusher could create some bad throws and easy picks for our defensive backs… any thoughts on the subject Darren?

2nd point:
And in round 1 I hope most fans can acknowledge the need for an offensive lineman because if Kolb and Skelton need time without doubt but also Beanie showed sparks of greatness behind a lack luster unit last year bring in a few solid rookies to challenge or even start with some of our veteran players and he could break out for over a thousand again this year leaving Williams less pressure to produce as quickly and heal more properly for our future. Would love to get your insight on this idea as well Darren and what you believe to be our most pressing issue to be solved with this draft

1. As I have said, trading down means someone wants to trade up. And in most scenarios where a fan thinks it makes sense for another team wanting to trade up with the Cards, it just feels very self-serving. Is that really, for example, what benefits the Chargers the most? Probably not.

2. In the first round, I’d rather have them take a good player than reach for position. But if grades are similar, yes, I go OL.

I wont disagree it is self serving but I would also be open to a move up if we went up and got Ryan Kalil I would be open to that as well because we all can see consistency on an Oline is what makes super bowls or not… look at the year we made our super bowl run and the consistency of our line it was the best of the last 20 years for our team… would you think we could move up if Kalil starts falling?

And on another not Juron Criner if he is wearing red and white next year is offensive rookie of the year he is seriously under-rated in his acrobatic catching ability and his ability to go up for the catch

I am hoping in case father time catches up to Mr. Lennon, that Quan S shows great improvement in training camp and makes the team as the backup to hopefully Bradley and Washington
I think he could be a tackling machine

I totally agree with building through the draft, BUT, we are so close the cap that we need to spend one year and build a base of “NEEDS” and I was a big advocate of trading down and getting a second rounder but could we afford to pay one if we did??? I see the first round as a true best avaialble that fills either the WR or rush OLB need. After that I see Nate Potter of Boise st in the third(reach or not), I see Adcock from Okla. st. in the 4th(reach or not). Thats two stud tackles who are so close to Glenn or The idiot from ohio st that smokes dope it’s not even worth thinking about him. Then in the 5th eithr of the oposites of the first round and for the sixth round pick a suprise”Kellen Moore QB from Boise St, who has “Drew Brees II” written all over him. And the second sixth round pick a safety for Wilson to groom and the seventh round a pick that fills a position of low depth on the list. What do you think guys, a line for the next 4-5 years and a great base to work from next year??

From: ‘Decision Time has Arrived’
“If you are humble enough to take a step back outside the box and say, ‘You know what, this is why we made the mistake and we are smart enough to learn from mistakes,’ that will pay dividends in the end.”

Huh? I don’t recall when Ken W. and Co. has ever admitted a draft mistake? So they’ve never been “smart enough to learn” from mistakes.

Don’t worry about cardsalltheway, he suffers from multi personality syndrome. There are many times he contradicts himself, whether it is cardsalltheway, truths4all or chuck-1. Otherwise, well, hmmm, jerk comes to mind. Anyway, enjoy the draft tomorrow. Don’t let any negative comments ruin the day!